6 Signs of Alternator Trouble

If your alternator fails, your battery's power reserve will go empty, potentially leaving you stranded and in a precarious situation. It's your alternator that gives your vehicle the juice to fire up and keep moving down the road. Along with that, it is responsible for the healthy function of your electrical accessories. Here's a look at six helpful tips on how to identify signs of an alternator problem.

Indicator Light Comes On

When trouble arises with the alternator, you may see lights on your dashboard that read ALT or GEN---and sometimes the illumination will be in the shape of a battery. Often times, this is the first sign of an alternator issue.

Dead Battery

While a battery will of course eventually die on its own, if you have recently gotten a new one and it has died, then you have reason to be concerned that your alternator is the source of the problem.

Dimming or Flickering Headlights

Your alternator gives your headlights the ability to light up the road. If they're behaving strangely, your alternator could be the culprit.

Problems with Electrical Accessories

In the event that your alternator isn't functioning properly, you could have issues with your radio, power windows, and other electrical accessories.

Bad Smell

While a burning smell could be attributed to a variety of issues, one potential cause is that the belt is slipping on the alternator.

Stalling

Your alternator keeps your pistons pumping as you drive from place to place. If it fails, you could end up stuck and out of luck.